Blog · Literatureनेपाली चाडपर्व तथा विशेष दिनहरू
Today, the world community is celebrating Poverty Alleviation Day with great pomp. It is customary to celebrate this day on October 17 of each year.
Countries that can spend billions of dollars on nuclear power have not even been able to address the hunger problems of their citizens. Even in this first half of the 21st century, poverty in the world has become a barrier to even the basic guarantee of food and shelter is yet a big question mark to many. This year, however, the country and nationality are linked not only to nuclear or fighter jets, but also to the number of health workers wearing white coats, hospital beds and ventilators, and the availability of ICUs. The crisis caused by Corona has made it clear that poverty will increase and employment opportunities will decrease in the coming years, in the underlying context, the importance of this year's Poverty Alleviation Day has become wider.
The COVID-19 pandemic that gripped the world during the past year has resulted in reversing decades of progress in the fight against poverty and extreme poverty. According to the World Bank, between 88 and 115 million people are being pushed into poverty as a result of the crisis, with the majority of the new extreme poor being found in South Asian and Sub-Saharan countries where poverty rates are already high”. In 2021, this number is expected to have risen to between 143 and 163 million. These ‘new poor’ will join the ranks of the 1.3 billion people already living in multidimensional and persistent poverty who saw their pre-existing deprivations aggravated during the global pandemic. The measures imposed to limit the spread of the pandemic often further pushed them into poverty – the informal economy which enables many people in poverty to survive was virtually shut down in many countries.
As we embark on the post-COVID recovery and getting back on track with the Sustainable Development Goals, many are talking of “building back better,” but the message is clear from the people living in extreme poverty that they do not want a return to the past nor to build back to what it was before. They do not want a return to the endemic structural disadvantages and inequalities. Instead, people living in poverty propose to build forward.
The priority of every government and parliament is to eradicate poverty. This eradication of poverty is crucial for peace, stability, and economic development. According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Nepal has decreased from 25.2 percent in 2011 to 21.6 percent by 2015. Increased income through remittances from foreign employment cannot be considered long-term, market and financial management are necessary by highlighting employment and skills in the country.
On the other hand, it is necessary to bring a revolution in agricultural work and make it commercial rather than subsistence farming. Remembering that those ten years of conflict and subsequent turmoil have led to an increase in poverty in Nepal and a lack of livelihood opportunities for the people.
On the other hand, as part of the government's efforts, various income generation programs are being carried out through the Poverty Alleviation Fund in 59 districts of Nepal through 30,000 community organizations. The hidden pit of the rich and the poor is a silent battle around the world, in this economy, everyone has the freedom to move forward based on knowledge and opportunity, right? As this gap between the rich and the poor continues to be filled, it is important to pay attention to society and the vulnerable communities of society.
Democracy without economic development and poverty is lame. Let us all see Nepal and the world eradicated from poverty in this life.
Let there be a roof over everyone's house, Let there be rice grains in every palate, be it millet or flour
May life be sweet to all.
Suyog Dhakal
